Alignment of tubular piles for joinder

Abstract

An aligner and method of alignment of two tubular piles for joinder. The aligner extends from one end of one tubular pile for insertion in the other tubular pile. One or more shim members are disposed between and in engagement with the outer surface of the aligner extended portion and the inner surface of the other tubular pile when the extended portion is inserted therein for maintaining the two piles in alignment for joinder.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An aligner for aligning a first tubular pile to a second tubular pile, comprising: a generally cylindrical member connected to the first tubular pile, having a forwardly extending pointed tapered end portion, and extending generally coaxially from one end thereof, the extended portion of the cylindrical member being disposed for insertion into an end portion of a second tubular pile having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said extended portion;   at least one first shim member disposed adjacent said one end of the first tubular pile between and in engagement with the outer surface of said cylindrical member extended portion and the inner surface of the second tubular pile, when said cylindrical member extended portion is inserted in the second tubular pile, to maintain the first tubular pile in alignment with the second tubular pile; and a second shim member attached to the outer surface of said cylindrical member at the lowermost end of said forwardly extending tapered end portion thereon.   
     
     
       2. An aligner according to claim 1 wherein said first shim member is connected to the outer surface of said cylindrical member extended portion. 
     
     
       3. An aligner according to claim 2 wherein said first shim member of the aligner comprises a plurality of first shim members. 
     
     
       4. An aligner according to claim 3 wherein said plurality of said first shim members comprises a plurality of said first shim spaced about the circumference of said cylindrical member extended portion such that at least a portion of one of said first shims is disposed in each quadrant of the extended portion circumference. 
     
     
       5. An aligner according to claim 3 wherein said first shim comprises a first portion for engaging the second pile inner surface for maintaining the first pile in concentric relation with the second pile, and a second portion which is tapered from said first portion in a direction away from said one end of the first tubular pile. 
     
     
       6. An aligner according to claim 3 wherein said plurality of said first shim members further comprises at least one third shim disposed adjacent said one end of the first tubular pile and diametrically opposite said second shim. 
     
     
       7. An aligner according to claim 3 wherein said plurality of said first shim members further comprises at least one third shim disposed adjacent said one end of the first tubular pile and diametrically opposite said second shim. 
     
     
       8. An aligner according to claim 1 wherein said first shim member of the aligner comprises a plurality of first shim members. 
     
     
       9. An aligner according to claim 8 wherein said plurality of said first shim members comprises at least one third shim disposed adjacent said one end of the first tubular pile and diametrically opposite said second shim. 
     
     
       10. An aligned pair of tubular piles, comprising: a first tubular pile,   a second tubular pile,   a generally cylindrical member connected to the first tubular pile and extending generally coaxially from one end thereof, the extended portion having a forwardly extending pointed tapered end portion disposed in and end portion of the second tubular pile, having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said extended portion   at least one first shim member disposed adjacent the end of the first tubular pile between and in engagement with the outer surface of said cylindrical member and the inner surface of said second tubular pile to maintain said first tubular pile in alignment with said second tubular pile, and   a second shim member attached to the outer surface of said cylindrical member at the lowermost end of said forwardly extending tapered end portion thereon.   
     
     
       11. A pair of tubular piles according to claim 10 wherein said second tubular pile is disposed to extend upwardly at an angle of lean, and said first shim member further comprises at least one third shim adjacent said one end of said first tubular pile, and said second shim is further disposed to face away from the direction of lean and said third shim is disposed to face toward the direction of lean for aligning said first pile to extend upwardly at said angle of lean.